Oak comes from an excellent show pedigree, and was born at Northern Lakes Labs.  We have owned a long line of his relatives.  He is very light yellow and has a nice blocky head.  He's just a big lovey boy and is a quick learner and very loyal.  He is OFA Good for his hips, Normal for his elbows, and Normal for his Heart.  He is also negative for the whole DNA disease panel.
  

If you do not live within driving distance, we offer both ground transportation and shipping via an airline.

Which Airline?
We use several major airlines for shipping, but usually Delta or United.  The process is safe, simple, and cost effective.  The pup first obtains a health certificate from a vet.  On the day of travel, he/she is placed in a well-ventilated airline transport crate, and received by a special division of the airlines.  He/she is placed on board just minutes prior to departure, and will travel in a temperature controlled, pressurized area of the aircraft. (If he loses pressure, so do the passengers.) The pup will usually sleep for most of the flight.
(We do not use sedatives. They are unnecessary and can be very dangerous.)

Remember ~ your pup never really knows that he/she is on an airplane, and he/she does not have a fear of flying.  The best part is that he/she can be in your arms in just a few short hours.  In all the years of shipping puppies, we have only had positive experiences.  No one has ever been disappointed with the particular puppy that they received.

Picking up your puppy at the airport~
This part is the most fun!  Just simply show up at the cargo or baggage claim area, I will let you know in advance which for your particular airport.  (Don't worry - your pup won't come flying down the belt with all the suitcases.)  Show them your I.D. and they will give your pup to you.  Many families use this as the surprise introduction to their children or spouses.  Have a camera ready!  Other than water, there is nothing special you will need. It's a good idea to bring some bottled water with.  When you get to a grassy area, let him/her out for a bathroom break.  Don't bother with a collar or leash, I'll have one for you in his/her crate (or in the airline packet).
Once the bathroom break is over, you will find it more comfortable to travel with your new pup beside you on the seat. He will most likely go back to sleep by the warmth of your leg, this is a great first bonding experience.  It's also not a bad idea to bring some wet wipes and paper towels along, just in case......  You may want to bring some plastic bags to clean up after your pup, and so you have somewhere to put any soiled paper towels, etc.  (Grocery store bags work great for this!)

Then, when it's safe to do so, PLEASE give us a call so we know you have your new baby safely in your arms.  We tend to worry if we don't hear from you.  Plus, we can't wait to hear how happy you are with your new little one!!  (612) 232-6399.  

COST~
Shipping through the airlines is the best way to get your puppy shipped safe and sound.  The total cost of transporting your puppy is approximately $350.00. This includes the travel crate, the health certificate from our vet, and the airfare.  If your puppy is over 12 weeks of age, Rabies will need to be given before his/her flight, which is an additional $20. If your puppy is older/ larger, he/she will need a larger crate, so there will be an additional cost for that up-charge and for the airfare increase.

If you are adopting 2 puppies who can fly together, the airfare is usually only about $50.00 extra.  If they are each over 20 pounds, they will need their own crates, so there will be a $40.00 charge for another travel crate. 

Break down of what is included:

• Health Certificate. This saves you money, as it counts for the first vet visit!  (In many cases, the first vet visit can run $100 to $150 dollars).
• Airline transport crate. This can be used as a house breaking crate for the first couple of weeks to months.

• Pet Airfare.

Due to the risk of diseases such as the Parvovirus, Coccidia, Canine Influenza, etc., we've had to change our visitation policy.  We've always just taken people at their word that they had not visited another kennel for at least 14 days prior coming here, but breeders do communicate and we know that that is not always the case.  We have learned that other breeders have had outbreaks of various illnesses at their facilities and protecting our puppies from illness is FAR more important to us than "making a sale".  With this in mind, we've decided to change our visitation policy, and not allow people to just "window shop".  Puppies are very fragile when so young, especially before they've had all their vaccinations.  So we've decided to change our practices and only allow people that have placed a deposit to come to view our puppies.  This way we're assured that no one has first been to someone else's breeding facility where they could potentially carry illnesses with them to our place.  After a deposit is placed, you are free to set up an appointment to view the puppies and choose your pick, if you haven't already.  We are NOT a Puppymill, we have nothing to hide.  We just value our puppies and need to protect them from diseases and parasites, etc.  I know people who already have a puppy reserved with us are thankful for this new policy, as they certainly do not want their new baby to get sick.  We are knowledgeable, professional breeders with many years of experience in breeding quality, healthy puppies.  If adopting a healthy puppy is important to you, you won't be disappointed when you do come to choose your previously reserved puppy from us!  To date, no one has ever come to visit our puppies and requested a refund, in fact we receive so many compliments on how our puppies and dogs are cared for.  Our dogs and puppies are our life, and people tell us all the time that it shows when they are here.  

• We are inspected by the American Kennel Club annually.
• We are licensed by the State of Georgia and are inspected at least once per year.

To place a deposit, or schedule a visit, if you already have a deposit with us, please give us a call (612) 232-6399 or send us an email. 

We do try to be as accommodating as possible, but not at the risk of our puppies' health.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Your new puppy is guaranteed to be virus free for two business days from the date the puppy is received. Parasites are a common problem in animals, especially young animals, and are easily treated; therefore these are excluded from this guarantee. A visit with your own vet within two business days is required, including a fecal exam, to confirm the health of your new puppy, and establish a relationship with him/her and your new puppy right from the start. (If any parasites are found, treatment is the purchaser's responsibility.)  

This dog has a guarantee that the hips will not receive a grade of moderate or severe for Hip Dysplasia at 24 months of age from the OFA, and that his/her eyes will pass a CERF test at 12 months of age, or we will apply the full purchase price of your puppy toward the price of a replacement puppy of your choice, from a future Northern Lakes Labradors' litter. (Replacement puppy will be provided when available, or should you choose to wait, must be received within 12 months of returning dog to us.) If the replacement puppy has a higher adoption fee, you will be responsible for the difference. If replacement puppy has a lower adoption fee, no refund will be given. OFA Certification must be completed before 25 months of age. CERF Test must be obtained by 13 months of age. NO REFUND WILL EVER BE GIVEN.  Replacement puppies will be considered "as is" and will not be guaranteed.  (i.e. only one replacement puppy will be provided.)

To qualify for a replacement puppy, all of the following conditions must be met:

•  Dog has been registered with the AKC, and has been micro-chipped within 10 days of purchase.  We can provide this chip for an additional $55, or you may have it done at your own vet's office and send us a copy of the dated receipt for the microchip implantation and microchip number. 

• You received a statement from the OFA, stating that your dog received a grade of moderate to severe for Hip Dysplasia. Or from CERF stating the presence of Retinal Dysplasia or Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).

•  Dog has never been bred, even if puppies were not produced or were not registered, if produced.

•  Dog and AKC papers are returned to us. If you choose to keep your dog, he/she must be spayed or neutered, and original AKC papers must first be returned to us. A signed statement from the vet with the date the spay/neuter was preformed.

• There must be no signs of injury, abuse, neglect, dog is not over weight, under weight and has not been used in agility, running, jumping or over exercised during their growth period of 24 months.  Any signs of the above will void this guarantee.

• Dog must not be spayed/ neutered before 12 months of age.  Doing so can decrease bone health and cause future problems.

All Puppies are sold as pet quality only; no guarantee is made as to disposition, conformation, size, weight, color, markings, or hunting or breeding abilities.

We will also not guarantee undescended testicles, dew claws that grew back or micro-chips that have "traveled", or any other non-genetic situation/disorder.

If you choose to upgrade from Limited AKC papers (Pet only) to FULL AKC papers for breeding or show, you will void all guarantees, except that your puppy will being free of any virus for 48 hours from the time of adoption.

If you choose to continue feeding your puppy Life's Abundance Food, we will give you a Lifetime (up to 10 years) Replacement Warranty.  This means that if your pup/ dog should pass away due to a health related reason, we will replace him for you.  

To Qualify for the Lifetime Warranty:

• You must use this link: www.LifeAbundance.com/NorthernLakesLabs, so that we know you are ordering through our account.  You must continue feeding only a Life's Abundance food.
• There must be no sign that your pup was ever neglected or mistreated, over worked, or cared for in a way that would cause him/ her to become ill and pass away.
• You must also have your pup microchipped with us or within 10 days of leaving our home.  Please send us your receipt showing that he/ she was microchipped.  This will help us know for certain that your pup is that same one that left our home to become a part of yours. 

**Lifetime Free Replacement Puppy - Does not include any shipping charges, microchip, vet charges, etc. This Lifetime Free Replacement Puppy Health Guarantee is for the health of your Labrador Retriever, and does not cover accidental death, neglect, abuse, or injuries that your dog may sustain while being a part of your family. We believe that Life's Abundance is a great product and will provide your dog with optimal health, so that your Labrador Retriever may live a long and happy life with your family! This Lifetime Free Replacement Puppy Health Guarantee will transfer to new owners (if you are unable to care for your dog), if we are contacted prior to his/her re-homing and only if there is no lapse in the use Life's Abundance Dog Food. **